Ok, well let’s see how this goes….. I am now 48 hours into the flying portion of this trip halfway around the world so I will push my tired, jet lagged self into what is hopefully an engaging and interesting blog post….
Where to start….? Ok, let’s start with where I am now. Sitting by a great big window at the Sydney airport; its mid-afternoon and with a temperature of 29 the solar energy is overheating me but I love being in the sun so I’ve pulled down the filtered blind and am going to try to sit this out. It’s nice to see and feel the heat after so many hours encased in a metal flying can…… and both flights were cold! I swear that they were minimally heating the outside air that comes in. Wore 3 layers and had a blanket wrapped around me the whole time. 😐
Both in Hong Kong and Sydney I paid for access to an airport lounge and seriously, on a trip with layovers as long as mine (14 hours in HK, 8 here in Sydney) it is well worth it. Open bar (tho I can’t even bring myself to have a drink with alcohol lest it render me upside down and helpless!), lots of food, free wifi, room to spread out and best of all, SHOWERS!! These have been a godsend on this trip and even tho there was no hot water in today’s shower it still felt good to get the travel grime off me and into fresh, clean, clothes.
Other than the incident in Paris on the train platform it has all been quite uneventful which is exactly how you like travel to be. My flight was delayed 2 hours on the tarmac out of HK last night but even that was ok as it lessened my Australia layover time today. Food has been ok; I always pre-order vegetarian so at least I have been getting some fruit and veg (tho I admit to having food envy when the two other people in my row got ice cream for dessert last night). And I also always book aisle on any flight over two hours as I love A: the freedom to get up and stretch whenever I want and B: the ability to get up to the bathroom when it suits me. I mean, who likes to wake up the stranger beside them to get to the toilet?? Just the thought of that stresses me out….
Duty Free in these big international airports is like shopping on Rodeo Drive. You name it and the luxury brand has a store; Chanel, Ferragamo, Chopard, Tiffany, Gucci, Prada, YSL, Miu Miu, Tory Burch…. the list goes on and on. I did smile to myself when walking by Jimmy Choo yesterday to see a little girl of about 8 prancing around with one of their shoes on. One half of a pair that for sure would cost over $1000 Cdn. I wonder what the tolerant, smiling salesclerks were really feeling about this?? Oh, and they probably aren’t called salesclerks either. No doubt it is something more lofty like- ‘brand consultant’ or ‘experience creator’. I stuck my nose in a few of the stores just because I could but spent more time browsing skincare and cosmetics. Incidentally a sales associate in HK duty free cosmetics told me they were closed all through Covid until last July. I saw there used to be a Lululemon there but I guess with having to close they are not reopening. And just like in other parts of the world there have been supply chain issues as some of the products are out of stock with no idea of when it will come in. Which incidentally happened to be that one MAC lipstick I decided suited me…..
I also found it interesting that in the Hong Kong airport, or at least in the glitzy glam international area, there are no stores like Relay where you can get a book, or a magazine, or, in my case, some Evian face spray to stay hydrated during the trip. Again, something that I took for granted would exist and doesn’t. One of the things I really like about travel; for better or worse, seeing and experiencing how things are different than home.
I must admit my layover in Hong Kong, looking out at the mountains which reminded me of Vietnam, really stirred in me a desire to get back to Asia and experience more countries. The trip I did with my daughters a few years ago to Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand was one of the best I ever was on so I know it’s on a future travel list….. Being somewhere where we were the visible minority, and where the cultures were so different was enlightening, humbling, excillerating, eye opening…..
Something else I didn’t expect…. you know how you clear security when you are leaving, stripping down, pulling out electronics, isolating your liquids, aerosols and gels to one itzy bitzy bag….. and then, or at least in my memory, you never have to do it again as long as you stay in the departure area? Well not so here; in both Hong Kong and Sydney I had to go through the same thing all over again. Which stresses me to no end. All that clanging of bins, people shouting orders, me having to get out my laptop, ipad, take out liquid bag, take off jacket, belt and boots, even had to take off my bracelets in HK… it all stresses me as it is so rushed and so busy and so, I don’t know, intense somehow. In Hong Kong they also needed to go through my suitcase to establish that my medical puffers were just that (which again stresses me because I am thinking ‘You pull that apart too much and no way will I be able to get it all in and closed again!’. So it is just as well I avoided buying a moisturizer or shampoo etc at one of the duty free stores as they wouldn’t have made it through the subsequent security allowance! But with no more stops except my final one in New Zealand I am leaving myself a little extra time to get out of the lounge and have a little look see just in case there is something I can’t somehow live without….
Ok, I am going to close this down and grab a little nap here in my chair as I can feel my eyes closing. I never sleep well or long on a plane so the two nights of traveling have caught up to me. I will set the alarm on my phone just in case I do slide into a deep sleep which threatens to keep me from making my last flight.
My traveling companions, friend Brenda from BC and sister Jo and her husband Lloyd have all arrived in Christchurch today. Brenda picked up the rental car, got us some starter groceries and she and Jo will collect me when I get in at midnight tonight. Oh! That was a treat! I thought it was a 5 hour flight from here but I missed the fact (duh!) that there’s a two hour time difference so in actual fact it is a measly 3 hour trip. I was SO HAPPY when I figured that out a few hours ago!
I see parts of Canada are still in a deep freeze. Brrrrrr. Hope everyone is staying warm and safe. Next post will be from New Zealand! Months in the planning and it’s finally here. Bring on the beautiful scenery and the thousands upon thousands of sheep!
xo
PS: photo taken by Em Friday when I was leaving Angers.
Enjoy! You’ll be there in no time !
So glad you are almost there! Enjoy your trip. I am looking forward to your adventures!
Continued safe travels and hope you are able to get a long rest when you arrive in new Zealand Michelle ❤️
Safe travels. I’m looking forward to more posts if your adventures. Enjoy.
The travel time is always the hardest part of any trip but so worth it when you get to see a part of the world you have never been or back to a place you absolutely love. Can’t wait to see more.
So happy you are almost to your destination!! Safe travels on your last flight. Will be so nice to see Jo, Lloyd and Brenda.
Look forward to your adventures xo
Glad to here you made it safely to Australia 🇦🇺. Enjoy your trip.
Happy to hear you’ve almost made it to your destination ! You’ll need a good rest before you begin the fun! Enjoy the warm weather!
Take care, Mon amie! Xoxo
Well you’re on your last lag and soon you’ll be with your family and friend. It will be nice for you to see a familiar face at the airport in NZ. And then the adventure begins (after auch needed rest). Can’t wait for updates and pictures. Safe travels ❤️
I have family in Taradale Napier NZ and they own a great coffee shop called Drop. SHOT kafe. If you are in the area say hi to Karen Kriese Wise . Enjoy your travels and I am looking forward to reading your blog further.
Love all the details and nuances of your journey. Hope you got some rest. Enjoy your reunion. Xx
Love your adventures. You’ll love New Zeland.
I hope you have a great trip. A bit jealous here.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️